HALESOWEN Town manager John Hill is urging his players to put aside their 3-0 defeat to high-flying Ashton and travel to Nantwich in high spirits this weekend.

Goals from Dean Smalley, Daniel Mooney and an 88th minute penalty from John Pritchard saw Ashton take all three points last Saturday to move into third in the EVO-STIK Premier Division.

But a spirited performance – coupled with improved form which resulted in two big wins against Rushall Olympic and Matlock Town last month – means the Yeltz should not be too disheartened, according to manager John Hill, who is keen for his players to keep their heads held high.

He said: “We picked up some good three points last month so we need to take confidence from that.

“We lost 3-0 against Ashton but they scored in the 88th minute with a penalty so it looked like a bit of a hammering but in actual fact we had chances.

“They are a very good side and you would expect them to be up there alongside Altrincham at the top.

“The disappointing thing for us is that we probably had the best chances at 0-0.

“It is always disappointing to lose 3-0 but there were quite a few positives to take from that.

“We have to get the positives and take them on to the next game.”

Nantwich fought to a hard-earned 0-0 draw with Grantham Town on Tuesday and Hill knows they will be another tough opposition.

He added: “It is a tough game. They all are now, especially away from home.

“Nantwich got a credible point away to Grantham so we know it is going to be a tough ask but we know we need to get points.

“They are all important games now and we are doing our damndest, getting them out on the training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.”